The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1887-03-17

from the right Of .Hokes'I division,
was formed in this ravine aud .ad,
vanced 10 the assault. The Federals
concentrating q terrific fire of mus
ketrys and ..artillery, ploughed out
great gaps 10 these fearless Virgin
ians. Nothing daunted, they pres.
cd forward aud recaptured the inner
line. The loss OF this brigade was
heavy, both in men aud officers,
moro than 20O,svirginians falling
between the ravins and tho captured
works. The Federal troop. white
and colored, fought with q despera-
ton never witnessed on. former bat
tlefiolds. The. negroes, it is said,
cried, mo quarter Malone and
Wrights brigades took only 20 Of
them prisoners. The Federals still
held tue crater aud part of the line.
Another charge was necessary, aud
Wrighrs Georgia brigade was or
dered up from Andersons division,
Wright's brigade, forming in the
ravine, moved forward to drive the
Federals from the line they, still
held. The enemy, expecting their
attack poured volly into the Geors-
ians that demaciated their ranks.
killing aud wounding nearly every
field officer in the brigade. The
men rushing forward, breastipg a
storm Of lead aud iron, failed to Oh
lique far enough to the right to cap
ture the whole line, but gained the
line occupied by and contiguous to
the line already captured by Weisi-
ger, commanding Mohouo's brigade.
Malone apd Wrigbts brigades bad
captured AZ officers, 800 men and
20 negroes.
1t was now 10 IN. General
Grant made no effort to reinforce
tho line or 10 dislodse Wright aud
Malone from tho position thoy held
A courier dashed up to Gen J. G.
Q. Saoders, commanding Wilc,x's
brigade. informing him that his bri-
gade was wanted. Tue msu we're
expecting this courier, as they we're
next 10 line, and they distinctly
heard the shouts Of Mahone's and
Wrights men, followed by the heavy
artillery firing, while the word was
passed down the line that the
salient had not been re-captured.
Gen. Sanders moved his brigade,
cousisting Of the 9th, 9th, 10th, llth
aud l4th Alabama regiments, to the
left aud occupied the ravine. There
was no shade or water in this raw"
inc, while the men were exposed
nearly four hours to ascorching sun.
The heat was almost beyond human
endurance. Strong men tainted aud
were carried to the rear. The waves
Of hot air at times were almost suf-
focating. For the first and only
time the men were told what was
Expected of them. Gen. Sanders
explained the situation to the of
6cers Of the regiments. Each Cap,
tain spoke to his men, urging them
to retake the salient, or Petersburg
Iand Richmond must be evacustsd.
The men we're ordered to fix their
bayonsts securely, to trail arms
not to FIRE, not to yell, but to msve
quietly mp the side Of the ravine, aud
then, every man run for his life to
the breastworks. They were told
that Gems. Lee, Beauregard, Hill
Malone, Hoke aud every general
officer Of the army would watch
them as they moved forward. At
80 p. M. the firing had almost
ceased aud tho Federals, overcome
With heat, did not expect an attack
Sanders formed his brigade and
moved quietly up the side of the
ravine. Hardly word was spoken,
for the Alabamiaus expected to die
or retske that salient. The eye oi
Gen. Lee was fixed on them. When
they caught sight OF the works their
old feelings came back on them and
yell they must. With the fury of .
whirlwiud they rushed upon the
line they had been ordered to take.
The moment was 90 unexpected and
so quickly executed that only one
shell was thrown into the brigade
The works gained, they found the
enemy on the other side. 1t wss
stated that Lee. speaking TO Beaure-
gard, said /; splendid !" Beaure'
gard spoke with enthusiasm Of The
brilliant charge.
!, ln 90 instant the Federal army